Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LIBREVILLE223
2007-05-14 13:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
CHIKUNGUNYA FEVER EPIDEMIC IN GABON
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UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000223
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI PGOV TBIO GB
SUBJECT: CHIKUNGUNYA FEVER EPIDEMIC IN GABON
1 (U) Gabon is currently experiencing a chikungunya fever
outbreak, with the local media terming it an epidemic. The
first cases were apparently reported about three weeks ago.
According to press accounts, there have already been 5,000
cases, with one hospital in Libreville reporting 300 new
cases per day. The WHO office in Libreville is currently
unable to verify those figures.
¶2. (U) On May 10, the President and the Cabinet formulated
plans to attack the epidemic. The government is offering
free care to chikungunya victims. There have been no deaths
from the fever reported so far.
¶3. (U) FYI: Chikungunya is a relatively rare form of viral
fever caused by an alphavirus that is spread by mosquito
bites.
WALKLEY